1) ForgetMeNot
ForgetMeNot is a mobile app which acts as a personalised and bespoke digital memory book for people with dementia.
The app features three tools: photos, music and voice recordings which provide a simple means for families and carers to practice reminiscence therapy, a practice with proven benefits in reducing agitation and stimulating brain activity.
The ForgetMeNot App also supports family integration which allows loved ones to share in the reminiscence experience.
Check out our website here: https://www.forgetmenotapp.ie/
You can download the app at the following link: Android
2) My Family App
This is a tracking App for families to know the whereabouts of each member.
Pros: Handy way of keeping track of family members from a distance.
Cons: It is dependent on everyone having a smart phone with data to operate effectively. It doesn’t work if someone forgets their phone or doesn’t have internet connectivity.
3) Family Locator GPS Tracker
This is a tracking app designed for families. Those who are connected to the app can see where other family members are in real time.
Pros: Similar to the ‘My Family app. It is a useful way to keep track of loved ones who have internet connection.
Cons: It is dependent on constant internet access to be useful and is hindered by people forgetting and losing their phone
4) Dementia Diary/ Clock
App connected to device calendar which displays upcoming events in an easily understandable manner. It is also possible to remotely edit the app to add in or remove events from the calendar.
Pros: Straightforward to understand once set up and is helpful to keep routines in check.
Cons: Complicated to set up and needs a lot of patience to get going. Also needs constant internet access in order to edit events remotely.
5) Medisafe
Medication reminder segmented into four daily quadrants. Users will know what medication they have taken and what is due to be taken. Family can remotely update medication as required
Pros: Extremely useful app that, in addition to setting reminders to take medication, also can be set to remind users of the exact name, shape and colour of the medication to be taken.
Cons: The only main drawback to this app is that to remotely access the app to edit medication the users device will need internet access at all times.
6) Jigsaw Puzzle World
App containing many different categories of images to pick from and different piece sizes to adjust difficulty levels. Photos can even be uploaded so as to use them in puzzles.
Pros: A fun app with many varying difficulty levels. Uploading personal pictures to use as jigsaws is quick and easy.
Cons: Game has a lot of advertisements that can interrupt between jigsaws which can get rather annoying.
7) Colorfy
This is an app for adults who enjoy colouring. There is a selection of colouring pages including patterns, garden scenes, and animals. You can take photos to colour in also.
Pros: Extremely easy to use and fun with a lot of pictures and colours to choose from.
Cons: Requires accurate touch screen use. While it is a free app there are a large number of pictures that require a subscription to use.
8) Candy Crush Saga
Switch and match candies in this puzzle to progress to the next level. This game is fast paced and requires the player to respond quickly.
Pros: Very basic game that is explained well and gets progressively harder but remains fair throughout.
Cons: Is burdened by the same problems all free games have with advertisements a constant annoyance.
9) A Walk Through Dementia
This is a virtual reality app designed by the UK’s Alzheimer’s research. The app puts you in the shoes of someone with dementia to give an insight into the varied symptoms people with dementia can experience in everyday life. It is used with a cardboard headset to experience the virtual tour appropriately. It can also be used on the phone.
Pros: Very useful tool for giving family members an understanding of what a dementia patient is going through everyday.
Cons: Is made for use with a headset which is hard to make and while it can be used without it the app is not as effective.
10) Elevate
Training Program which initially assesses the user to determine ability level in the following areas: Writing, Listening Reading, Speaking and Maths. Once set, there are daily sessions of training in the 5 areas. You can check and monitor your performance.
Pros: Has a wide variety of games that can help with keeping the brain active, sharp and strengthen mental functioning. The games range in ability stages and quickly adapt to the users level, making the games challenging yet not unfair.
Cons: While initially free a lot of content is locked behind paywalls that requires a €50 annual subscription.
Roscommon Dementia Alliance 